WP: Transfer of Power to Iraqis Scheduled

[kskiska]

6-Month Deadline Set As U.S. Continues Talks

Sunday, January 4, 2004; Page A01

After eight months of debate and delay, the United States this week will formally launch the handover of power to Iraq with the final game plan still not fully in place.

The United States begins the complicated political, economic and security transfer with a general framework and a June 30 deadline for completion. But critical details are still being negotiated between the Iraqis and U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer, some of which could determine whether the new Iraqi government is ultimately embraced by the majority of Iraq's 22 million people.

"We're open to refinement, and we're waiting to hear what people have suggested or will suggest," Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said in an interview. "What Ambassador Bremer and all of us have been doing in our conversations is listening and hearing and , 'Are there better ideas that would make the plan more refined, better and more acceptable to a broader group of individuals and leaders within Iraq?' " Besides figuring out who will rule in Saddam Hussein's wake, Iraqis over the next two months will have to answer a host of deferred and potentially divisive questions: What kind of government will Iraq have? What will be the role of Islam? How much local rule will ethnic, tribal or religious groups have?

The deadline is Feb. 28 for agreement on these and other basic questions, due to be codified in the recently renamed Transitional Administration Law, the precursor to a constitution.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52841-2004Jan3.html

[Dogmudgeon]

1. February 28 plus six months ...

That would be August. Maybe September.

During the thick of Election season.

Tell me now how stupid Shrub is.

--bkl

[DUreader]

2. The Media Will Cover for Him and Say How GREAT IT IS!

A New Iraqi Constitution And Freedom!!!

[Gman]

7. Or timed to coincide with the GOP convention

how convenient.

But that's fine with me because there will be 3 more months before the election for Iraq to completely and totally deteriorate into complete chaos and anarchy in a civil war. Make no mistake, as soon as the US hands over control, Iraq will be worse than Lebanon ever was. The news out of Iraq will be of a horrible civil war.

Of course, the neocons don't see this scenario so it will probably catch them off guard, I hope.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Just in time for Civil War

about one week before the November election. Think it will get covered by the media?

[young_at_heart]

4. Local rule....."Isn't freedom wonderful?"

The people who have lost loved ones in this war are surely rejoicing over our president's words about the freedom of Iraqis.

[daleo]

5. Isn't that Convention time?

Isn't RNC convention in NYC about then? ( Feb 28 + 6 mo = Aug 28)

[patricia92243]

6. I wonder if the killing of US soldiers is still as high as it is now, will

they still go ahead and pull out.

[missile_bender]

8. Excuse me, transfer POWER to Iarqis?

I don't think so. Bush Inc. does not TRANSFER POWER to anybody. Like how after World War II the Soviets transferred power to Hungary, Romania, East Germany and Bulgaria?

[Skittles]

9. you are correct

I cannot see Bush Inc giving up ANY power. They thrive on it.

[readmylips]

10. The Bush Inc. imports...

have been in power in Iraq since war started. How come almost 500 US soldiers have died after booshie's declaration of 'mission accomplished.' Maybe the Bush Iraq imported government are against the US or they are a misserable failure.

Go Dean. Expose the BushInc Iraq government.

[Just Me]

11. Right, with a permanent military presence and 3000 "dips",...

,...remaining to rule the direction of the country,...

Can one "transfer power" and simultaneously "maintain control"? That's a tricky proposition,...doncha' think?

[tabasco]

12. Puppet government to be installed by November

What could possibly be taking so long? Maybe they need to find a fortress secure enough for the "Iraqis" to govern from.

[Dancing_Dave]

13. Propaganda --call their bluff!

This is clearly a propaganda trick, trying to shut down the movement against the imperial occupation of Iraq. They really aren't making any plans to get U.S. military out of Iraq in 6 months.

I wonder how many Democrats will dare to call the Bush Regime's bluff on this. But how long has it taken for Democrats to call the Bush Regime's bluff about 9/11? When do we wake up from this nightmare?
:think: